Government allowed to appeal decision Palestine Action terror group ban was unlawful

The judges ruled that the Home Office could appeal against the Supreme Court’s decision that it was unlawful to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.

Three judges dealt a humiliating blow to the government on 13 February, ruling that banning Palestine Action under terrorism laws was “disproportionate” and that it “resulted in a very serious interference with the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly”.

They have now allowed Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal.

Dame Victoria Sharp, Mr Justice Swift and Mr Justice Steyn concluded in the Supreme Court that only a very small proportion of the Palestine Movement’s activities amounted to terrorism and that the group’s actions did not exceed the high bar to make it a terrorist organisation.

The decision led to the Metropolitan Police announcing that officers would no longer arrest people simply for showing support for Palestine Action. Supporting or being a member of the Palestine Movement is still a criminal offense, punishable by up to 14 years in prison, as the group’s terrorism ban is still in effect.

Since the ban last July, thousands of people have been arrested for holding banners supporting the group. The same three judges issued a ruling on Wednesday allowing the case to be referred to the Court of Appeal and the group’s ban to be maintained until its outcome or a new decision is made.

This is a breaking story, more to come…